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Potter to temper expansive Tigers

Steve Jancetic

New coach Michael Potter doesn't want to reinvent the wheel at Wests Tigers - he just wants a rethink as to when his side puts the pedal to the metal.

Under former coach Tim Sheens, the Tigers were known for their ability to score from anywhere on the field - key duo Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah the chief architects of the free-wheeling style.

It was as exciting as it was risky - the Tigers all too often conceding points in their endeavour to score them.

It's a style Potter wants to temper, but in no way halt altogether.

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"It's probably more about earning the right to play that expansive game," Potter said at Tuesday's Foundation Cup lauch.

"Moving down the field a little bit more ... just play those plays at the right time rather than chance your hand too much.

"Temper them a little bit but don't harness them where they don't want to play - trying to find that balance sometimes can become difficult."

It didn't look too difficult against Parramatta last Saturday night, the Tigers running up 41 points against a poor Eels side while conceding just four.

Skipper Farah said it was hard to get too much of a gauge from the Eels trial, but admitted there was still some work to do with the side's style of play.

"We're always trying to find that balance and when we're not finding that balance is when we're not playing good footy - that's shown in the last couple of years," Farah said.

"The times where we are playing good footy, we do get those options right.

"It's a work in progress - Mick coming in brings his ideas ... so far we're jumping on board with what he wants from us.

"He's not going to change us completely ... it's just more an understanding of when to take certain options.

"Just understanding the situation of the game and understanding what the right option is at the time."

That understanding will take another step against the Sydney Roosters on Saturday night, with Potter naming a virtual full-strength side for his club's final trial with Aaron Woods (knee) the major absentee.